Naval News – HMS MONTROSE F 236 decommission – 17.04.2023
On Monday 17th April, 2023 the Royal Navy formally retired the Type 23 frigate HMS MONTROSE F 236 from service at Portsmouth Naval Base. HMS MONTROSE was the eight of the sixteen-ship Type 23 or Duke class Frigates, named after the Duke of Montrose. She was laid down in November 1989 by Yarrow Shipbuilders on the Clyde, and […]
Malta Naval Visits – RFA ARGUS A 135 – 23-25.11.2022
On Wednesday 23rd November, 2022 the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Role 3 Casualty Treatment/Aviation Training Ship RFA ARGUS A 135 passed Grand Harbour, Malta breakwaters at 1026 hrs after embarking pilot at Marsaxlokk Harbour Pilot Station 2 Bravo due to heavy swell off Grand Harbour (OGH) during her maiden call. She was originally built as […]
Military News – Niger receives Helicopters from Italy – 18.10.2022
On Tuesday 18th October in the presence of Niger’s defence minister Alkassoum Indattou and his Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini, 2 x AB412HP Helicopters were handed over at Air Base 101 in Niamey Indattou said the delivery was the result of close ties between Italy and Niger. The aircraft will be used to strengthen Niger’s Air […]
Naval News – EUNAVFOR Operation Irini nets embargo buster – 18.07.2022
Last Monday 18th July the EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI found cargo in breach of the United Nations (UN) arms embargo on Libya on the ro/ro vessel VICTORY RORO after she was spotted by French Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). She has been on the radar for a while when she delivered military vehicles to the country […]
Casualties – Medevac by French Navy after MSC RACHELE explosion – June 2022
On Tuesday 21st June, 2022 around 0900 hrs the Regional Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Toulon, France received a distress call from the 334 metre containership MSC RACHELE that due to engine room fire , followed by an explosion 3 injured crew members needed a medical evacuation (Medevac). She was sailing between Naples and the […]
Military Nostalgia – JDS ARIAKE DD 183
The Fletcher Class Destroyer named for Admiral Frank F. Fletcher was the largest destroyer class ordered. It was also one of the most successful and popular with their crews. Compared to earlier classes built for the United States Navy, the Fletchers carried a significant increase in lethal firepower, including anti-aircraft (AA) weapons and increased Armor plating; this contributed to greater displacement and overall […]
Project Cargo – EEMSLIFT DAFNE with 2 High Speed Craft at Malta – 11.04.2022
On Monday 11th April, 2022 the 2014 built mpp vessel EEMSLIFT DAFNE entered Grand Harbour, Malta with interesting deck cargo of 2 High Speed Craft. She had the Incat Crowther 42 High Speed Craft GOZO EXPRESS for Virtu Ferries, Malta for Malta-Gozo-Malta route as the EXCELLENCE OF MAJESTIC. Another interesting vessel was the 2000 built Crew Transfer […]
Russia-Ukraine War – RFS MOSKVA 121 sank – 14.04.2022
The Russian Navy Slava Class or Project 1164 Atlant Guided Missile cruiser RFS MOSKVA 121 that was damaged in an explosion last Wednesday 13th April sank while she was being towed to a safe port on Thursday 14th April, 2022. TASS reported “The cruiser “Moskva” sank while being towed in a storm – Russian Defense […]
Russia-Ukraine War – Ukrainian Navy destroy Russian Navy RFS ORSK BDK 148 – 24.03.2022
On Thursday 24th March a Russian Navy Project 1171 Tapir Class landing ship (NATO reporting name as Alligator) RFS ORSK BDK 148 was destroyed with 2 other naval vessels damaged in the occupied Ukrainian port city of Berdiansk by the Ukrainian Military. 24 hours before this was the scene while she was discharging military equipment […]
Ukraine Crisis – Russian Navy building up around Ukraine – 21.02.2022
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Moscow does not want a war in Europe amid rising tensions over Ukraine but demanded that the issue of Kyiv’s relationship with NATO be resolved in its entirety immediately. Speaking at a joint news conference on Tuesday 15th February, 2022 after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Putin said Russia had […]
